Manitoba

Winnipeg crews spray Monday for forest tent caterpillars

City crews will focus their tent caterpillar battle on neighbourhoods in north Winnipeg today.
City of Winnipeg crews use a biological, organic spray called Btk, and homeowners can apply for 30-metre buffer zones if they don't want the product used near their properties. (Star Tribune, Joel Koyama/Associated Press)

City crews will focus their tent caterpillar battle on neighbourhoods in north Winnipeg on Monday.

Starting at 9:30 p.m., crews will spray trees on boulevards, in city cemeteries and in parks in the following insect management areas:

  • 49 (Garden City, Margaret Park and Templeton areas).
  • 51 (Amber Trails, Leila North, Riverbend, Rivergrove, Rosser-Old Kildonan and West Kildonan Industrial).

Sunday evening, the insect control branch completed treatment in IMA 50 (Kildonan Park).

Crews use a biological, organic spray called Btk, and homeowners can apply for 30-metre buffer zones if they don't want the product used near their properties.

City officials have already said they expect a "significant amount" of the caterpillars this May and June.